Letters to the Editor, Tuesday, April 24, 2018

Bring back Big Ten Network

Comcast, which never ceases to amaze, has now eliminated the Big Ten Network in our area. What a mistake. There are probably more Big Ten fans here during football and basketball season than one would imagine.

I hope Comcast reconsiders this badly thought-out move.

Joyce Eikenberg, Bonita Springs

Prescription drug price gouging

When we hear about the high cost of prescription drugs, we feel sorry for the patients but we really don’t pay all that much attention. However, when it happens to you, things change.

My doctor has me on an inhaler that he prescribes one month at a time. In February my copay was $78.81. In March it was $197.02. My cost went up $118.21 in one month. I called my insurance company and asked them how much the drug store charged them. The answer was $197.01. I have a good plan, but I can use it only at this particular drugstore chain.

My neighbor doesn’t have insurance and he told me he buys all his prescription drugs from Canada. You don’t have to go Canada to get them. There is an office here in Naples. I went there and it can get me this prescription direct from the manufacturer in the United Kingdom for $134.78.

The drugstore chain charges $394.03 for the same drug I can buy from Canada for $134.78. It is making twice as much profit as the company that makes the drug.

If I do not use my insurance, I can save $62.23 a month by paying the total cost out of pocket.

Bill Busch, Naples

Starbucks provocation

Here we go again. In the Naples Daily News on April 16, on Page 18A, the poor Starbucks CEO is falling all over himself apologizing for an incident which is clearly a deliberate racial provocation over which he had absolutely no control. Nor did his employees. They can only cave in and play patsy to the provokers.

Why did these two black men make it clear that they were not paying customers? Ask to use the restroom, then sit in the restaurant taking up customer space, still making no purchase? Then, when the Starbucks employees called for help to remove the non-customers, they are the innocent, abused blacks suffering the indignities of (deliberately induced) police action.

When is the last time you or I asked to use the restroom in a restaurant? Ridiculous. We just use them. They are there for customers to use, in times of personal emergency. I — and I'll bet that you too — just walk into the restaurant, go directly to the restroom, then leave if we have no need for the establishment's fare.

Of course, our wide-eyed, editorializing "reporters" present the story (not the facts) in an accusatory mode, following that up with the demand of the Rev. Jeffrey Jordan for "equality now" and the possibility that Washington, D.C.'s Gregory Wilkins (who is black, the article says) would "consider going elsewhere."

I assume that this absurdly-written article is the product of a couple soft-minded young liberal reporters who just don't know any better. But the provokers, I wonder if they were duped into this action by one of George Soros' well-disguised network of organizations designed to corrupt our society, or did they knowingly accede? What other possible purpose could they have had?

Dennis S. Roussey, Naples

Democrat hypocrisy

The silence of Democrats and the mass media was deafening when:

• The voters were not aware President Franklin Roosevelt used a wheelchair.

• Roosevelt had a long-standing mistress.

• Presidents John Kennedy, Lyndon B. Johnson and Bill Clinton all had dalliances inside and out of the White House.

• There were questions about President Barack Obama being properly vetted for the presidency.

• There were questions about activities in Benghazi, Libya, causing the deaths of Ambassador Chris Stevens and other brave Americans.

• Multitudes of undocumented aliens illegally crossed our borders.

• Various government agencies were said to be “weaponized” against our citizens and especially conservative groups.

• Hillary Clinton was not thoroughly investigated for the mishandling of classified documents, for which others have been fined and jailed.

• There was no special investigation of the Clinton Foundation.

Yet, President Donald Trump has endured relentless criticism, scathing accusations and unparalleled scrutiny every minute of every day for a year by liberal media with little or no evidence of issues comparable to those above.

Instead of still grieving over an imperfect woman’s election loss, we should be praying for an imperfect man who wants to make America great again for the benefit of all its citizens.

Robert A. Strohaver, Naples

Tax questions need to be answered

More questions need to be answered before residents vote on a referendum to increase the sales tax in Collier County from 6 percent to 7 percent to pay for a lot of projects, some of which will be pork barrel projects.

Some of the 18 projects county commissioners appear to be committed to are probably justified. Many are probably not. Then there are the other unnamed and yet to be determined projects that we need to be concerned with and should know about in advance of the vote.

One big question is: Where will the money come from to support the personnel, payroll taxes, benefits and other day-to-day operating expenses of the clinics, training centers, parks, etc., that they want to build with the sales tax increase? Will it come from increases in real estate taxes, fees, other miscellaneous taxes, a growing population tax base, etc?

Government budgets from one year to the next. We are entitled to a clear and concise multiyear budget projection as to the annual operating costs of these projects and their sources of funding. Until then, count me as a "no" vote.

Joseph P. Fernandez, CPA, Naples

Stop digging

To Fox TV personality Sean Hannity:

Remember what Will Rogers said: “If you find yourself in a hole, stop digging.”

Jack Korbey, Naples

Organization helps teens

On April 12 you printed a Dear Abby letter from a teenager struggling with her
relationship with her alcoholic mother. Abby referred the young person to Alateen,
a support group for young people who have the same problem.

As a certified Alateen sponsor, I have sat in on Alateen meetings many times. These meetings provide an outlet for young people to share their concerns and learn from each other the many helpful principles and tools to better cope with a loved one’s disease. So many children discover that it’s possible to feel happiness in spite of their difficult situation.

Like Al-Anon meetings, which are for adults who have been affected by someone else’s
drinking, Alateen meetings provide a safe and respectful setting for each members’ right to anonymity.

Adults and children can find a list of meetings by visiting this local website: NaplesAl-Anon.org.

Deborah, Estero

Alateen offers comfort, hope

Thank you for printing the Dear Abby letter from the troubled teen and her response directing the teen to Alateen.

Al-Anon and Alateen have helped so many people in our community. By bringing the issue of the disease of alcoholism to the attention of your readers, you may be providing the hope that someone needs.

April is Alcohol Awareness Month. NaplesAl-Anon.org is the website for our District 159 and there is much information, including a meeting list.

Once again, thank you for doing your part in making the community aware that there is hope.

Julie B., Naples

Editor’s note: It is the Daily News’ policy to publish letters only with first and last names of writers. In the case of the preceding two letters, we are honoring Al-Anon and Alateen’s longstanding practice of using first names and last initials only.

Business a hazard to neighbors

The mulch fire off Jones Mining Road in Collier County is the third one in 18 months. Supposedly, the business wasn't "in compliance" with fire codes on the second fire. This time they are, according to NBC-2:

"According to the initial investigation, Environmental Turnkey Solutions is in compliance with fire codes, which wasn't the case when firefighters showed up there last year."

This operation is a hazard to the neighboring homes. Those of us who live nearby are suffering from the stench of the smoke, and those with breathing difficulties are at risk.

What does it take to get this business to relocate? As the population of Naples inevitably moves east, these concerns need to be addressed.

Michelle Caffrey, Naples

Well-being not good for many in Collier

For the third year in a row, the Naples metro area has been recognized as having the highest well-being in the United States. This should not come as a shock to anyone who has seen the picturesque sunsets from the Naples Pier, sipped an organic smoothie on Fifth Avenue South or visited any Blue Zones-certified restaurants across town.

Having one of the highest numbers of millionaires per capita in the country, Naples has mansions lining the beach. Naples is truly a postcard scene.

What is missing from the picture, however, are the thousands of individuals struggling to make ends meet. Professor Thomas P. Felke of Florida Gulf Coast University found that more than 2,000 senior households in Naples were below the poverty level. More than 1,000 senior households required food stamps.

Older citizens tend to have more difficulty finding jobs than their younger counterparts. As medical costs rise with age, this population faces a unique struggle to afford necessities such as food and adequate housing. Organizations such as the Jewish Family and Community Services of Southwest Florida aid many of these families by providing food and services for senior citizens in Naples.

Where do these individuals live? Certainly not on the palm tree-lined streets of Gordon Drive.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, nearly 1 in 10 children in Naples live in poverty. In Collier County, 61 percent of children rely on food stamps. When will the well-being of this population be addressed?

While it is important to celebrate the advancements in health and well-being in Naples, we should not turn a blind eye to those lacking access to essential resources.